Endeavour launch delayed due to hydrogen leakThe US space agency has cancelled Saturday's launch of the shuttle Endeavour due to a hydrogen leak, a NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration.NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. spokesman announced. The launch had been scheduled for 7:17 am (1117 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) See UTC. GMT - Universal Time 1 ) from Cape Canaveral Cape Canaveral (kənăv`ərəl), low, sandy promontory extending E into the Atlantic Ocean from a barrier island, E Fla., separated from Merritt Island by the Banana River, a lagoon; named (1963) Cape Kennedy in memory of President John in Florida. "The launch is scrubbed, it's official," spokesman Kyle Herring told reporters, adding that the postponement was likely to last at least 24 hours. Meanwhile, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency said in a statement posted on its website that the leak was detected near the Ground Umbilical umbilical /um·bil·i·cal/ (um-bil´i-k'l) pertaining to the umbilicus. um·bil·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to the navel. 2. Relating to the umbilical region of the abdomen. Carrier Plate, which is attached to the external tank at its intertank area. The leak was similar to one that occurred during the first launch attempt of the space shuttle space shuttle, reusable U.S. space vehicle. Developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it consists of a winged orbiter, two solid-rocket boosters, and an external tank. Discovery in March. After the leak is assessed, shuttle managers planned to meet Saturday to discuss what steps to take next, including targeting a new launch date for Endeavour's mission to the International Space Station, NASA said.
|
|
||||||||||||||

Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion